I was just looking for some thoughts and advice. The night before last, I put the girls away as normal counted 1...2...3! I let them out yesterday morning 6.50 am 1...2...3! When I cam home from work yesterday at 2pm, there were only 2 in the run . Now this has happened many times where they get over the run fence and out into the garden, but thats all that has ever happened, they have stayed in the garden.
I have checked with my neighbours, looked thoroughly in the field behind the garden, and even walked the streets - no sign.
There is no evidence of her anywhere in, around or outside of the garden - no scratching, no feathers, no droppings and more importantly - no blood.
If someone has picked her up and is looking after her then I'm fine with that, but the thought of her suffering anywhere is more than my wife can handle.
How far will chickens go from their home, and could she return - I know she isn't a homing pigeon, but just wondering if they can find their way home?
Any help appreciated
Thanks
Never expect the enemy to be where you expect them to be!!
yes they can wander off and return. I had one hen when I lived in england that did go away over night.luckily she returned very noisily the next day as though it was my fault, so dont give up hope yet. I hope she returns safe and sound.
Has she got stuck behind something. That is what happened to my sister in laws chook and they found her after about 2 or 3 days wedged behind a fence panel and the shed. They `will` squeeze into tiny spaces. Hope you find her. lorna
I`m not a teacher for nothing, you know!! If I was clever, I`d be dangerous.
I have looked everywhere I can think of looking where she might have squeezed in, but I would have thought she would complain as she is very vocal. Unfortunately I have not been able to hear anything anywhere The trouble is behind the field is a main road, so I have driven up and down there this morning for a mile in each direction looking for her, and thankfully didn't find her on the road anywhere.
Fingers crossed she will return!
Never expect the enemy to be where you expect them to be!!
My fingers are crossed for you too. We did have someone here with a hen that was missing for several days before she turned up, so don't give up hope just yet.
I hope she suddenly turns up there is nothing worse and so much worry. Coral one of my ex batts (now sadly died) used to hide up the garden when I was putting everyone in run so I could go to work and I never noticed she wasnt there and she was my most vocal girl and then get home at 4 to find her enjoying herself in the garden. Red my Rhodie girl tried the same trick but when I got home at 4 she was shouting and stamping her feet at the run door with the others the other side of the door trying to get out. As soon as I opened the run door Red pushed past everyone to get to the food bowl - she has never done the same trick again she likes her food too much. Keeping my fingers crossed she comes home.
Thanks for all the tips guys. Grannyof4 - I have knocked all the doors in our street - asked the postman, the milkman, the binmen, the paperboy etc etc. No one has seen her. Stevethegas, wouldn't there have been some sort of sign to show that Mr F had her. A work colleague of mine had his 4 killed by Foxy and only took one - I just assumed there would be feathers or blood
If there is a miraculous return I will let you all know.
Thanks
Never expect the enemy to be where you expect them to be!!
Aw this is sad to hear,let's hope she's just gone for a wander.. I agree that there would probably be some sign of a struggle if it was foxey. Are the other two ok? They would probably look a bit shocked if an attack had happened?
Do hope your hen returns, I have had them go off for a couple of days from free ranging in our field, and return safe.
Is there any chance your hen has been scared, maybe by a cat, and is hiding? They go under sheds, in planters, stupid places, we may not even think to look.
But, young foxes are on the prowl in the daytime, and just lately I have lost a couple of hens during daylight - and really gutted as one of my copper black pullets went yesterday too. They pick up the hen, and carry them off, have managed to frighten the fox enough to make it drop the hen once, and it was ok, but missing a few feathers. So, there would not necessarily be any feathers left as evidence.
. Now this has happened many times where they get over the run fence and out into the garden, but thats all that has ever happened, they have stayed in the garden.
